davis



T. DAVIS.

STARTER SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. I919.

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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Thai 21am? ml: COLUNIHA mmnunuu c x. WASHINGTON, n. r:.

T. DAVIS.

STARTER SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. I919.

Patented N 0v. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Maemiur:

T. DAVIS.

STARTER SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1919.

20,676; Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THGMAS news, or nnraorrifvii er-ifee v, assreaqa r inn JOHN roan STARTER COMPANY, or BALTIMORE, release-arm; a ooaronarron or MARYLAND.

STARTER srsrnri rea soroivroisrnns.

Application filed March '7, 1919. Serial No. 281,238

To {ZZZ whom it may concern Be it known that LTHOMAS DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Detroit, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starter Systen'is for Automobiles, of which the following is aspecification:

In Letters Patent of the United States, No,1,294:.058, February 11th, 1919, granted to me I show an air pressure system in con nection with and forming a part of a starter apparatus for automobiles, in which when the starter valve is operated by the driver air under pressure is delivered to an air mo-' tor to drive the same and the motor by the air pressure is coupled up to the engine shaft to start the same, the air being restored in the system by a pump which is operated after theengine shaft is started and restores pressure until it reaches the maximum when a controllerwill throw the pump out of operation.

My present invention relates to an appa ,ratus of the above character, and it consists in the features and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the clalms.

In the drawings;

Figurel is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus. i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of theair motor.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view ofv the pump and associated parts. I

Fig. 4 isa detail sectional view of the pump valves;

In these drawings A is the compressed air tank which is connected by pipe (0' with the starting motor A and a pipe -6 extends from the pump E to the tank to supply the same with compressed air. This pump is arranged apart from the air motor and it is driven from the engine shaft 11 through sprockets a, a and chain of, instead of being driven from the engine shaft through the shaft of the'air motor, as in the'patent referred to above. as willb'e referred to hereinafter more in detail.

In starting up with the tank A charged a starter valve C is opened 'bythe operator depressing the foot lever 1% and air is admit-ted to the casing of the motor to drive the rotor thereof .by acting on the blades, one of which, indicated at b. This rotor has a qsijl} e15 b1 c journaled .in the fixed casing or stat this q-uill' or hub" Specification of Letters ram.

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

has a splined connection at g with a sleeve 7 which has fixed there o a clutch member (Z. Within the sleeve there is a shaft Te adapted to slide longitudinally and having a clutch member or members consisting of the pins (Z adapted to be engaged by the clutch d of thesleeve f when this sleeve is moved leftward from the position shown in Fig. 2'by the air pressure.

7 When the air is admitted to the air motor to turn the same, together with its quill and sleeve 7 it is, also admitted through the port It and channel 7", to space back ofthe clutch member (Z which therefore acts asa piston within the extension 40f the rotor casing and the axial movement of the clutch mem ber (Z due to this air pressure causes it to engage the clutch pins d and as the clutch member (Z is now in rotation with the rotor the shafte will be turned, and further this shaft will be moved axially toward the left, because ;of the axial movement of the sleeve 7 and its clutch d, due to the pressure of air at 70. v

This shaft has fixed rigidly thereto the clutch member Z andas the shaft is moved leftward the clutch] will engage a clutch inclines at (Z on the jaws of the said clutch (Z. A spring 0 bearing on a plate a resisting against the endof the quill 0 presses-the shaft 6 to normal position at the right of Fig. 2.

As above pointed out the pump is not operated from the engine shaft through the shaft 0, as in the patent above mentioned, but is operated from the engine shaft,- through a connection, which may be main} tained afterthe engine shaft in the present case runs ahead of theshaft a, this connection being, as stated, the sprocket a on the engine shaft, the sprocket chain a and, the sprocket a on the shaft 6 of the pump.

The latter sprocket is not fixed .to the shaft 6 but as shown in Fig.3 is fixed to a" sleeve" a looseon; the shaft, but held to restore the pressure. 7

sure is restored to the maximum the shaft against axial displacement by its flanged end running in a groove 01 of the pump casing. The shaft 6 is slidable axially and it has a clutch member d to engage the clutch V The slidable pump shaft carries splined thereto an ;eccen-' face (Z of the sprocket n trio E for operating the piston rod and piston E for compresslng air, suitable Intake and outlet valves being shownat e fe,

Fig. 4:. v V The pump shaft is pressed to the right to make its. clutch (Z connect with the clutch face of the sprocket by a spring 8, thiscondition existing when the air pressure in the system is reduced and the pump is to work When the prese is slid leftward to disengage the clutch at (Z 03 by means of a lever 9 pivoted to a bracket at 10 and operated from a dia-' phragm 0 through a pin or plunger-12. The

V diaphragm is subjected to the pressurein gine shaft by throwing out'the'clutch (Z and thus stop the pump.

' The controller is connected'w'iththe pipe (1 and tank by a pipe 5. 7 v v When the air pressure falls to minimum point forwlhich the controller is set theair-is let out of pipe 6,.the diaphragm V collapses and the spring 8 throws the clutch d (Z in and the pump is operated by the engine to'restore the pressure and this may occur 111 case of leakage, or when the engine is started. 7

It is desirable in starting the engine that 'the 'pump be disconnectedso that the'additional load on the engine, which a connected pump would entail, will' be avoided. I' therefore employ a piston 13 in a cylinder, 14 which is connected by a pipe 15 with" V the'air pipe a, so that when the starter valve C is opened the air pressure will move the piston 13 leftward andthrough its piston rod will move the'lever 9 to slide the pump shaft leftward and throw out its clutclrk thus cutting off. the pump from the engine and therefore reducing the load on the engine, which otherwise would exist if the pump were driven by the engine in startlng.

This condition will prevail as long the starter valve remains open and the pres;

'ingthe shaft in its detached position.

sure on the piston through pipe 15 issufficient to overcome thepressure of the spring 8, but after the engine is well started-the pressure of the ,air in the tank and system will have become reducedand' the spring 8 will then. act to overcome the pressure back of piston 13 and will throw in the clutch ol to operate the pump from the engine shaft. The diaphragm ()fwill not oppose this action because,'as above pointed out the diaphragm will be collapsed when the air pressureis lowered to a certain point. A; choke is provided at 7 inthe pipe at which acts in a manner similar to that disQ closed in the patent mentiond.

It causes the governor D to be" affected by a quick reduction'of pressure, each time the starter valve C is opened to admit air to the lmotor, resulting i-n'openingthe pipe" 6 to atmospherefthrough the atmospheric port 22 and the collapsing 7 off 'the' dia phra gm O.

'The'clutchcl, d between the," sleeve f of the rotor and the motor shaft '6 is to enable r The operator places the crank on the hand cranking to be'done withjthe' motor idle. end of the shafte and first pushes the shaft to the left. and then spins it.' The left;

ward movement of the shaft sets the clutch at Z into connection with the engine shaft and also disconnects the motor at the'clutch (Z, (Z so that in hand cranking the resistance of the motor 'does not have to be overcome, it remaining at rest.

When the piston isop'erated by, pressure back of it this pressure will leak or bleed V out as'soon as the starten valveis closed 7 and thus the spring 8 may quicklymove the shaft 6 to the right to couple-with the engine through the clutchpP; This leakage may take place, through the parts of the starter valve or a special bleed port may be used. 7 Y Y e T One purpose 'of the spring for returning the shaft 6 to the right is to draw washer w against the end of the small cylinder' i toexclude dust. So far as the detaching of the shaft 6 from theengine shaftis cone cerned, this is done by the engine; shaft running ahead] The spring aids in hold,-

WhatI claim is: 1. In combmat on an engine shaft, acom pressed a1r reservo1r, a starting motor comprising a rotor and a casing therefor, a-

shaftslidable axially through the rotor, connecting means between; the rotor "and' the slidable shaft to allow the shaftzto slide'rela-T tive to the rotor, means for supplying air pressure for turning the rotor and for sliding said shaft, a clutch between the slidable shaft and the engine shaft allowing the 'engine shaft to run ahead of theimotor shaft, a pump and pump shaft, a clutch between the engine shaftand the pump shaftand trolling said clutch, substantially as -de-- scribed.

2. In combination, an engine shaft, a compressed air reservoir,-a starting motor comprising a rotor and a casing therefor, a shaft slidable axially through the rotor, connecting means between the rotor and the slid-able shaft to allow the shaft to slide rela tive to the rotor, a clutch between the slidable shaft and the engine shaft, a pump and pump shaft, a clutch between the engine shaft and the pump shaftand means operated by the air ressure for controlling said clutch, substantlally as described 3. In combination with an engine shaft, an air motor comprising a casing and a rotor having only rotary movement therein, a rotor shaft, means for driving the rotor by air pressure, means for sliding the rotor shaft by air pressure in relation to the rotor, said rotor shaft and rotor having a sliding connection between them, which will permit the shaft to slide and also cause the'shaft to be rotated by the rotor, a clutch between the slidable rotor shaft and the engine shaft, said clutch having inclines by which the engine shaft can run ahead of the rotor shaft,

and a spring for sliding the rotor shaft to,

normal unclutched position, substantially as described.

5%. In combination an engine and its shaft, an air motor with pneumatically operated clutch means for connecting the motor with the engine and adapted toeallow the engine to unclutch and run ahead of the motor, a spring for assisting in restoring the clutch to normal position, a pump, a clutch between the same and the engine shaft, and a pneumatically operated means for throwing the pump c-lutch into operation when the air pressure in the system is reduced and for throwing the pump clutch out of operation I when the air pressure reaches a maximum, substantially as described.

5. In combination an engine shaft, an .air motor for starting the same, an air reservoir, a pipe connection between thesame and the motor clutch means whereby the pump is driven from the engine, and pneumatically operating means for throwing said clutch out of operation to disconnect the pump from the engine while the engine is starting and for throwing the clutch in to operate the described.

6. In combination an engine shaft, an air motor for starting the same, an air reser- V voir, a pipe connection between the same and the motor clutch means whereby the pump is driven from theengine, and pneumatically operating means for throwing said clutchout of operation to disconnect the pump from the engine while the engine is starting and for throwing the clutch in to operate the pump after the engine. is running to thereby restore air into the system, and pneumatically operating means for throwing the clutchfout when-the pressure is restored in the. system, substantially as described.

7. In a compressed air starting system for automobiles and the like and in combination with the engine and its shaft, a compressed air motor for starting the engine shaft, a pump for restoring pressure to the system, automatically operating means for throwing the pump out of operation and then into operation including pneumatic means disconnecting'the pump from its operating connection when starting, and pneumatic means for throwing the pump out of operation again when the pressure has been raised to the desired point, substantially as described. r

8. In a compressed air starting system for automobiles the combination of an ens gine and its shaft, an air motor for driving the shaft, a pump, a clutch between the pump andxthe engine shaft, a pneumatic device for throwing the clutch out of operation when the engine is started, a spring for throwing the clutch into operation after the pressure is reduced consequent upon its use in: starting the vengine, and a second pneumatic device receiving the air pressure of the system and acting in opposition to the spring to ,throw the clutch out of operation when the pressure reaches a predeterminedmaxiwith its shaft arranged coaxially with the engine shaft, clutch mean between the said shafts, a pump arranged with its shaft parallel with the engine shaft, a driving connection between theengine shaft and the pump shaft including .a clutch, pneumat ically operated means for throwing the first clutch in to start the engine from the air mo, tor and pneumatic means for throwing the pump clutch out, both of said means performing the stated acts when the pressure rises against them, substantially as described;

10. In a compressed air starting system for automobiles, and in combination Withan engine and its shaft, a starting air motor with its shaft arranged coaxially with the engine shaft, clutch means between the said shafts, a pump arranged with its shaft parallel with the engine shaft, a driving-connection between the engine, shaft and the pump shaft including a clutch, pneumatically operated meansfor' throwing the first clutch in to start theengine, from the air motor and pneumiatic means for throwing the pump clutch out, bothfof said means performin the' stated; acts when the pressure rises-against them, and a spring for each clutch means acting 1n opposition to the pneumatic means, substantially as described.

11. In a compressed air starting system for-automobiles and in combination, an engine-and its shaft, an air motor having a slidable shaft with f a clutch between the same and the engine shaft to be thrown in and out by sliding said shaft, a pump having an axially'slidable shaft, a clutch drive between the engine shaft and: the pump and out by sliding said shaft, a pump having an axially slidable shaft, a clutch drive between the engine shaft and thepuinp shaft,

which is releasedand set by sliding said pump shaft, pneumatic means for sliding the motor shaft and pneumatic means for sliding the pump'shaft, said motor shaft being slid to clutch and said pump shaftto unclutch by their respective pneumatic means and springs for operating the shafts in the direction opposite from the direction of operation by the pneumati'c' 'means be-y' longing thereto, substantially as described;

13. In a compressed air system for starting automobiles, and in combination with an engine and its shaft, an air motor for starting the engine, a pump for restoring air to the system, said pumpliaving'an axially slidable shaft, a -member for, driving the shaft, a clutch for connecting said mem her with the shaft, said'clutchibeingset on released by sliding the shaft one way and then'the other, means for sliding'the shaft to throw out the clutchoperated pneumatically, and 'a spring for sliding the shaft in the opposite scribed,

14. In an engine starter and in combina tion with the pump and its axially slidable shaft, a clutch operated by the sliding of said shaft, a device operated by the starting air pressure formoving the shaftto disconnect its clutch after. which the clutch is thrownin and a second device operated by the air on reaching it maximum pressure to operate said shaft to again disconnect clutch, substantially as described;

15. In an engine starter and in combina tion with the pump and its axially slidable shaft, a clutchlope rated by the sliding of said f shaft, a device operatedby the starting air pressure for moving theshaft to disconnect I its clutch after which the clutch isthr'own direction, substantially as dedescribed. 7 V

19.'In combinat on. in ta compressed air 125v in and a seconddevicebperated. by'the air shaft, an' air 'inotor, a cluteh between the same and the engine shaft,'a pump, a connection between the sameand the engine shaft including a clutch, means for throwing the first mentioned clutch in to start the engine shaft, said means operating by all-pressure, means for throwing the last mentioned clutch out operating by air pressure when this reaches a maximum, means for throwing the latter clutch in on reduction of the air pressure, and means whereby the first clutch is thrown out when the engine has been started, substantially as decribed. a i

17. In a starter system for automobile engines, and in combination with an engine shaft, an air motor, a clutch between the same and the engine shaft, a pump, a connection between the sameand the engine;

shaft including a clutch,meansfor throwing the first mentioned clutch in to start the engine shaft, said means operating by air pressure, means for throwing the last mentioned clutch out operating by air pressure when this reaches a maximum, means for throwing the latter clutch in on reduction of the'air pressure, and means wherebythe first clutch is thrown out when the' engine has been started, and means for throwing out the pump clutch when the engine is being started to relieve it of the load of the pump durin the starting, said clutch being thrown in'a 1 er the engine is running, to operate the pump for vrestoring air into the system, substantially as described.

1'8". In combination in a starter apparatus for automobile engines, an airmotor, means for, clutching the same to the englne shaft,

' engines, and in combination with an engine said-'means unclutching automaticallyrwhen" the engine picks up, apump, clutch means for operating the same from the'engine shaft, including a pneumatic device for holding the said clutch out when the engine is starting to keep load off of the engine and forthrowing said clutch in after the engine has. started to thereby restore air pressure" in the system and means operated pneumatically for throwingsaid clutch outwhen' the air pressure is restored,substantially as starter for automobiles, an air motor having ashaft slidableiaxially in relatiohfthereto,

a clutch between 'said shaft and the engine shaft, which will allow, the" engine shaft to:

run ahead offlth'e motor shaft, means for is supplied to the motor,- a pump and pump shaft and a .connection including a clutch for driving the pump from the engine shaft and means operated by air pressure in the system and controlling the clutch last men tioned, substantially as described.

20. In combination in a compressed air starter for automobiles, an air motor having a shaft slidable axially in relation thereto, a clutch between said shaft and the engine shaft which will allow the engineshaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, means for sliding the shaft by the pressure of air, to set the clutch when air is supplied to the motor, a pump and pump shaft and a connection including a clutch for driving the pump from the engine shaft and means operated by air pressure in the system and controlling the clutch last mentioned.

21. In combination in a compressed air starter for automobiles, an air motor having a shaft slidable axially in relationthereto, a clutch between said shaft and the engine shaft which will allow the engine shaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, means for sliding the shaft to set the clutch when air.

is supplied to the motor, a pump and pump shaft and a connection including a clutch for driving the pump from the engine shaft, and automatic means for eliminating the pump when the engine is starting, substantially as described.

22. In combination in a compressed air starter for automobiles, an air motor having a shaft slidable axially in relation to said motor, a clutch between said shaft and the engine which will allow the engine shaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, means for sliding the shaft to set the clutch when air is supplied to the motor, a pump and pump shaft and a connection including a clutch for driving the pump from the engine shaft, and means for automatically eliminating the pump when the engine is starting and for automatically restoring the action of the pump after the engine is started and automatic means for eliminating the pump when the pressure in the tank reaches a certain maximum, substantially as described.

23. In combination in a compressed air starter for automobiles, an air motor having a shaft slidable axially, a clutch between said shaft and the engine shaft which will allow the engine shaft to ,run ahead of the motor shaft, means for sliding the shaft to set the clutch when air is supplied to the motor, a pump and pump shaft and a connection including a clutch for driving the pump from the engine. shaft, the said motor shaft being slid, to connect with the engine by air pressure, air pressure operated means to eliminate the pump when the engine is started, and air pressure operated means for eliminating the pump when the pressure reaches a predetermined maximum, substantially as described.

24. In a starter system for automobile engines the combination with the engine shaft, a motor, a motor shaft, slidable axially of the motor, a clutch between the motor shaft and engine shaft adapted to allow the engine shaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, said motor shaft having its end adapted to receive a crank for hand cranking the car, a clutch member on the motor shaft, a sleeve splined to the motor huband having a clutch member to engageothe'clutch member of the motor shaft, the said members being detached when the shaft is slid by hand cranking into connection with the engine shaft.

25. In a starter system for automobiles the combination with the engine shaft, a motor, a motor shaft, slidable axially of the motor, a clutch between the motor shaft and engine shaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, said motor shaft having its end adapted to receive a crank for hand cranking the car, a clutch member on the motor shaft, a sleeve splined to the motor hub and having a clutch member to engage the clutch member of the motor shaft, the said members being detached when the shaft is slid by hand cranking into connection with the engine shaft, and means for directing air back of the clutch member of the sleeve to slide the shaft to make all clutch members engage, substan tially as described.

26. In combination with the shaft of an automobile engine a starting air motor having a shaft with clutch means between it and the engine shaft which will allow the engine shaft to run ahead of the motor shaft, a tank for compressed air to be supplied to the motor, a pump for compressing air into the system and pneumatically controlled means for initially disconnecting the pump when the engine is started and for thereafter bringing the pump into connection with the engine shaft to be driven thereby.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signacopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

